I was in the Dominican Republic (punta cana) on vacation last week, and despite all my efforts to take my pump no where NEAR water, and be a dubious site changer, on Tues (it was a Sat - Sat trip) it appeared there was water inside the pump. The commands began firing at random, and I was seriously worried my basal insulin was not dosing correctly.
Anyways, I had a clinic on my resort, thank goodness, and the doctor spoke English (though my Spanish is excellent, I was worried about getting the message through correctly while freaking out a little). He informed me the only insulins on the island were Humalog, NPH, and Novolin (an NPH/Humalog mix). I called my doctor in the states, got a recommended regimen based on my pump settings that I knew, and would see how the numbers went.
***Lesson learned: double-double check for long-action insulin, because Lantus is NOT available in some places! I could have sworn I packed it, but then again, I never thought I would lose my pump! 
You guys have scary travel stories too?
Emily what you experienced is one of the reasons I never decided to go with using a pump. I work hard and have at times had to go into the water to perform a rescue even if its only a swimming pool it’s still water and would mess the pump up and being unsure how often the Insurance company would fork out a replacement because I smashed it our submerged it I decided to not go that route for now.
I am happy with using the pen’s or a syringe and currently and have been able to keep my A1C down in the lower to mid 6.X’'s :)) And my endo is happy with it so life is great here in Massachusetts!
I lived for two years in Guatemala. There Lantus and Apidra were both available and you don’t need a prescription, but the pharmacies were notably unreliable. When I would go to get my various meds they always were missing something that they promised “manana” but it was always the day after manana. Also insulin pens there came singly. Since I started insulin while I lived there I didn’t even know it came in boxes of five in the U.S. until I returned here. So I learned to never wait until I was out. There were other pharmacies in the large town I lived in, though but after a couple times wandering the town in search of something I learned to just plan ahead and have an extra one before I needed it. Less developed countries have their advantages in that you can buy things without a prescription which makes it easier for travelers. Also lab tests are cheap and easy (no need for doctor’s slip!). But availability of exactly what you need or want is not as easy and it could go by a different name.
I went on a cruise on the Medditereanian this past July. I brought a second pump, a second Dexcom CGM, and my backup Lantus and Apidra pen.
I always do.
I met a couple at a hotel in Florence in panic. They just got in from the states and forgot all of his insulin. He only had about a days worth left in his pump.They were to stay for 3 weeks. I offered some of mine to hold him over but he refused since it is not what he uses. I would have refused also but I had to offer. I hope he got a hold of his Endo.
Ive had a pump die before. Generally speaking they can AM overnight a replacement pump without issue. I would think even to the DR. Luckily when mine died, I was only a few miles from MM and was able to call and have a replacement left at the front desk. That was a 522. My 722 hasnt ever died and supposedly is water resistant.
The only other issues Ive had were backpacking in Northern California. My infusion sets wouldnt stay stuck and kept peeling off. Luckily I packed a 1/2 dozen or so and was able to change 1 a day as well as use lots of tape. Although getting medivaced out of the middle of the Vantana wilderness would have been interesting!
Last October, I was on one of the Out Islands of the Bahamas. My Animas pump is supposed to be waterproof, but it developed a leak and the battery discharged and destroyed the pump. Luckily I always carry a lot of backup (in 12 years of pumping, I know about that!) and I just switched to Lantus and Novolog injections. I emailed my Animas person, and a replacement pump was waiting for me when I returned home. My endo gave me a prescription for Lantus, because I travel so much.
Ugggh, sorry you had a problem.
Next time bring US all along, we’ll give you all the insulins you could need or want -ggg- , promise!
When traveling to a foreign country, make 1,000 % certain you bring the emergency backup supplies!!! Assume you used the “poor mans pump” routine? (ie bolus coverage every 3-4 hours)
Stuart
Haha, thanks Stuart. I did the “fake pump” routine for a few hours, and then thankfully the clinic was quick to hand-deliver me insulin (NPH). I honestly think next tropical vacation I’ll just go to shots ahead of time, considering all the swimming and sun.
I did not know you could buy Lantus in a pen!!! I would love to have Lantus and Apidra pens as a back up for pump failures.rather than storing whole bottles which may expire… I have never been on MDI with pens.Always used syringes and the bottles just never changed from my “way back” diagnosis regimen in 1968 . How long do the pens last before expiration?
God Bless,
Brunetta
I do as Danny : when traveling outside Canada , I get a MM loaner …never had to use it , but for me, peace of mind pays off.
I was in Hawaii over the summer and my pump broke. It said button error, so none of the buttons worked. I only had 2 syringes with me and half a vial of humalog, no lantus. My insurance wouldn’t pay for more syringes or any lantus, so I had to have my endo fax an rx for them. It cost a ton of extra money and time driving all over maui to get supplies. Plus, medtronic was supposed to ship a replacement pump for free over night, 4 days later I had to pick it up at the airport when I was leaving. Despite the hassle, Hawaii was still beautiful.
Sorry for the mix up at least the good thing is some lessons where learnt. What would have happened if you travelled to some developing countries in Africa where lantus is not available? Always have a plan B as regards diabetes matters, Procrastination is not allowed. Stay Blessed.
Thanks, that is really good to know! Will absolutely consider that for next time. Despite all the insulin and related issues, we had a wonderful time, thank you!
Ewww, major incovenience! I am glad you got to enjoy your vacation despite the troubles! Thanks for sharing.
Isaac, you are totally correct, my back-up was not adequate, and it’s a good lesson learned. I will always have 2 forms of back-up now, to handle whatever happens. Its amazing the medication availability difference country-to-country, even just over a small border, but you are right in that I should be extra cautious no matter where. Thank you.
Glad my babbling provided something useful, Brunetta! If opened, they are supposed to expire in 28 days. I’m not sure about if kept in the refridgerator. I buy boxes of 5 which last me around 4-5 months. I don’t have any package inserts at the moment, but I’m sure you could check on the Sanofi-Aventis website or by googling Lantus and Apidra.
I had a pump fail while studying abroad in Singapore (or rather the battery cap wouldn’t screw so the whole pump didn’t work) I don’t remember exactly what I did…I think I might have been taping the cap down…not sure or maybe I had back up supplies… .but I don’t remember exactly because I was able to get a replacement battery cap (and an extra pump) shipped to me that week ( I think they supplies in Australia).
Recently I went for a quick weekend and forgot my lantus (~waiting for the new smaller pumps to come out before switching back~) and had to do the fake /poor man’s pump routine since I got in late… The worst part was that I tried calling my endo since my prescription had run out and was unable to reach anybody… luckily for me my parents are md’s so they could call in a script… to me it’s strange that you need a presciption to even get most insulins in the US but certain ones you can get w/o script…